A tiny regional Victorian community has taken a new approach to Christmas cheer this year with its hay bale Christmas trail.
The idea came to life after a local family painted some bales to look like Bluey and Bingo from the popular ABC children's television show, Bluey.
Artist Amber Townsend, a member of the Tongala Development Group Committee said the farmers painted the bales as a bit of fun for their own children, but it quickly became popular amongst the community.
"[It] had so much traction it was moved to the local post office," Ms Townsend said.
From there, the town rallied behind the idea and got creative.
"We've had so many clever people from around town join this project."
"Local artists, creative mums, the two local primary schools, and the kindergarten all got involved. It's been a really good community effort," she said.
Off the beaten track
Tongala is a small dairy farming community between Echuca and Shepparton with a population of just under 2,000 people.
Ms Townsend said 35 big round hay bales were used and 20 square bales to make the 18 installations that can be seen around the town.
"Bingo and Bluey have had an upgrade," she said.
"They've got a Santa hat and some Christmas lights and they've been joined by a lot of friends around town."
Those friends include Peppa Pig, a Christmas Grinch and even some decked out as emergency service members, as a thank you for their efforts during a difficult year.
Ms Townsend said she hoped it was an incentive for people travelling through to get off the highway and explore those smaller parts of regional Victoria.
"You never know what you might find when you come off the main highway to a small regional town," Ms Townsend said.
She said the installation will stay up for the next month with the committee already looking to the future — to make it an annual event.
